Phase 1 of Navy Dive Training
Navy divers serve a variety of crucial functions in the fleet. They perform underwater repairs on ship hulls and docks. They also disarm mines and conduct research on diving equipment and diving related health issues. There are even saturation divers who live and work under the sea for periods of weeks at a time. However, before they are able to reach these specialized assignments, every sailor who aspires to be a diver must pass phase one of navy dive training: the Second Class Diver Course, also known as Diver "A" School.
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Function
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The function of this course is to train sailors in the fundamental skills of diving. Upon completion, they will be able to plan and execute diving operations safely without endangering themselves or others. The training is also meant to provide a foundation for the specialized, advanced training that divers will complete later in their careers. Diving students from other military services also attend this course for basic diving training.
Qualifications
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Before attending the first phase of Navy dive training, sailors must complete an initial physical fitness test. Since the course is so rigorous, instructors insist students show up to the course already physically prepared. The test has three phases. The first is a swim test: students must swim 500 yards in 14 minutes using a combination of the freestyle stroke, breaststroke, backstroke and sidestroke. The second phase consists of two minutes to complete at least 50 sit-ups, two minutes to complete 50 push ups, and an un-timed period to complete six dead hang pull ups. The final phase is a 1.5 mile run that must be completed in 12 minutes, 45 seconds.
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Skills
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During the course sailors learn about servicing diving equipment, diving mechanics and physics, dive operations planning, salvage operations, gas mixtures and more. Students focus on the fundamentals of scuba diving, which occurs closer to the surface, and deep sea diving. Underwater operations can last up to six hours. These skills will be honed further after graduation when new divers are assigned to the fleet for on-the-job training.
Location
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The first phase of Navy dive training takes place at the Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) in Panama City Florida. There is also a preparatory course that takes place at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois. Florida's temperate weather is helpful because of all the diving exercises that students are required to complete before graduation.
Time Frame
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The Preparation Diver Course in Illinois lasts 32 days. The Second Class Diver course lasts 70 days with training ongoing five days a week.
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References
- Photo Credit diver with equipment image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
